Hinge

ABSTRACT

A hinge for connecting a first folding element ( 30 ) to a second folding element ( 30 ) of a folding flap or folding door. The hinge includes a fixing element ( 1, 101, 201 ) having a first fixing face ( 7, 107, 207 ) by means of which it can be contactingly fixed to the first folding element ( 30 ); a first arm ( 2, 102, 202 ) connected to the fixing element ( 1, 101, 201 ) so as to be pivotable around a first pivot axis ( 3, 103, 203 ) between a first position and a second position; a second arm ( 4, 104, 204 ) having a fixing device ( 27, 127, 227 ) by which the second arm ( 4, 104, 204 ) can be fixed to the second folding element ( 31 ), and is connected to the first arm ( 2, 102, 202 ) so as to be pivotable around a second pivot axis ( 5, 105, 205 ) extending parallel to the first pivot axis ( 3, 103, 203 ) between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the first arm ( 2, 102, 202 ) encloses a smallest angle relative to the fixing face ( 7, 107, 207 ) and, in the second position, encloses a greatest angle relative to the fixing face. Further, in the first position, the first arm ( 2, 102, 202 ) and the second arm ( 4, 104, 204 ) enclose the smallest angle and, in the second position, the greatest angle relative to one another.

The invention relates to a hinge for folding flaps or folding doorswhich comprise a first and a second folding element which, for thepurpose of opening the folding flap or folding door, can be pivotedrelative to one another. In a closed position, the folding elements arepositioned on a common plane and each comprise an abutment edge, whichabutment edges are arranged parallel relative to one another.

Such hinges comprise a first fixing element which is firmly attached toa surface of the first folding element, and a second fixing elementwhich is firmly attached to a surface of the second folding element. Thetwo fixing elements are pivotably connected to one another around apivot axis which extends along the abutment edges of the foldingelements. Such folding flaps and folding doors which can be foldedasymmetrically are subject to problems, i.e. their pivot axes do notextend closely to the abutment edges, but with reference to the surfaceof one of the folding elements, said pivot axes are arranged so as to beoffset relative to the abutment edges. In prior art hinges, one arm ofthe first fixing element in the folding element plane projects beyondthe respective abutment edge. At the free end of the arm, the firstfixing element is pivotably connected to the second fixing element. Thedistance between the pivot axis and the abutment edge of the firstfolding element is approximately the same as from the second foldingelement. Therefore, when opening the folding flap or folding door, thereoccurs a gap between the two folding elements. Said gap constitutes asource of danger during the closing operation, because the hand of aperson may be caught in the gap.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a hinge which canbe used for asymmetrically divided folding flaps or folding doors,without the user being at risk of being injured when the folding flap orfolding door is closed.

In accordance with the invention, the objective is achieved by providinga hinge for connecting a first folding element to a second foldingelement of a folding flap or folding door, comprising

-   -   a fixing element which comprises a first fixing face by means of        which it can be contactingly fixed to the first folding element;    -   a first arm which is connected to the fixing element so as to be        pivotable around a first pivot axis between a first position and        a second position;    -   a second arm which comprises fixing means by means of which the        second arm can be fixed to the second folding element, and which        is connected to the first arm so as to be pivotable around a        second pivot axis extending parallel to the first pivot axis        between a first position and a second position,    -   wherein, in the first position, the first arm encloses a        smallest angle relative to the fixing face and, in the second        position, encloses a greatest angle relative to the fixing face,        and    -   wherein, in the first position, the first arm and the second arm        enclose the smallest angle and, in the second position, the        greatest angle relative to one another.

When said hinge is used in a folding flap or in a folding door it isthus possible—starting from a closed position in which the two foldingelements are positioned on one common plane, with the first arm being inits first position and the second arm in its first position—for theabutment edge of the first folding element to be moved away from thesecond folding element, with the first arm being transferred into itssecond position and being slightly pivoted relative to the second arm.There thus occurs a gap between the abutment edge of the first foldingelement and the abutment edge of the second folding element. Whenclosing the folding flap or folding door, said gap can be retained inthe closed position without injuring the person whose hand had enteredthe gap.

To ensure that, in the normal condition of the closed position, i.e.when a person's hand is not caught and when, in consequence, there is nogap between the folding elements, the two folding elements are arrangedin a common plane, the first arm is loaded by spring means towards itsfirst position.

For this purpose, the first arm can be provided with a formed-on leverwhich starts from the first pivot axis and which is supported by aspring element against the fixing element. To delimit the pivot path ofthe first arm to its second position, the lever is used as a stop whichacts against the fixing element.

A simple hinge design, more particularly when the hinge consists ofplastics, can be achieved in that the first arm is connected by a filmhinge to the fixing element. A separate spring element can be avoided inthat the film hinge is designed to be resilient and thus serves as aspring element.

In order to ensure a defined sequence of movements when opening andclosing the folding flap or folding door, the fixing element comprises asetting contour, with the first arm being associated with a settingslide which, on the one hand, is resiliently supported against the firstarm and, on the other hand, is slidingly supported by means of a settingface against the setting contour and with the setting slide, in thefirst position of the first arm, engaging an engagement indentation inthe setting contour. When the first arm carries out pivot movementsrelative to the fixing element, the setting slide, by means of itssetting face, thus slides on the setting contour. As the setting slidein the first position of the first arm engages the engagementindentation, the first arm is held in its first position. During normalsequences of movement during the opening or closing operations of thefolding flap or folding door, the first arm is securely held in itsfirst position. Only when the user places his hand between the firstfolding element and the second element while the folding flap or foldingdoor is being closed, is the first arm moved out of its first position,with the setting slide being moved out of the engagement indentationagainst a spring force.

It can be proposed that the setting contour—starting from the engagementindentation as far as the point of contact achieved between the settingslide and the setting contour when the first arm is transferred into itssecond position—is positioned at a constant distance from the firstpivot axis. In this way it is ensured that the setting slide only needsto be displaced when being moved out of the engagement indentationagainst a spring force. During the further movement of the first armtowards the second position, the setting slide is not moved any furtheragainst the spring force, so that no torque is applied to the first arm.

To ensure a defined end stop of the second arm, it is proposed that, inthe second position of the first arm, the setting slide is in contactwith an end stop of the setting contour.

In a preferred embodiment, the second fixing means are provided in theform of a second fixing face by means of which the second arm can besecured to the second folding element.

As a rule, the first fixing face and the second fixing face are arrangedon a common plane when the first arm is in its first position and thesecond arm in its second position.

Preferred embodiments will be explained in greater detail below withreference to the drawings wherein

FIG. 1 is a perspective exploded view of an inventive hinge.

FIG. 2 is a perspective illustration of a hinge according to FIG. 1 in amounted condition.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the hinge according to FIG. 1, with the closedposition being in a normal condition.

FIG. 4 is a side view of a hinge according to FIG. 1, with the closedposition being protected against jamming.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the hinge according to FIG. 1 in the openposition.

FIG. 6 is a perspective exploded view of a hinge with a film hingebetween the first arm and the fixing element.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the first arm of the hinge according toFIG. 6, and

FIG. 8 is a perspective exploded view of a further embodiment of aninventive hinge.

FIG. 1 shows the individual components of an inventive hinge in anexploded view and FIG. 2 shows the inventive hinge in a mountedcondition. FIGS. 1 and 2 will be described jointly below.

The hinge comprises a fixing element 1 to which a first arm 2 ispivotably secured around a first pivot axis 3. A second arm 4 isconnected to the first arm 2 so as to be pivotable around a second pivotaxis 5.

The fixing element 1 comprises a first fixing plate 6 which forms afirst fixing face 7. The fixing element 1 can be fixed to a firstfolding element of a folding flap or folding door, with the first fixingface 7 resting against a surface of the first folding element. Toprevent the fixing element 1 from rotating on the surface of the firstfolding element, there are formed on securing projections 8 which startfrom the first fixing face 7 and which can enter a bore in the firstfolding element. For the purpose of securely fixing the fixing element1, the first fixing plate 6 additionally comprises through-bores 9through which fixing screws can be passed. Furthermore, the fixingelement 1, on its side facing away from the first fixing face 7,comprises an articulated projection 10 which is provided with anaperture 11.

The first arm 2 has a U-shaped profile, and in a mounted condition ofthe first arm 2, a first leg 12 and a second leg 13 of the U-shapedprofile enclose the articulated projection 10. The first leg 12 and thesecond leg 13 are each provided with a bore 14, which bores 14 arealigned with the aperture 11 in the articulated projection 10. Anarticulated pin 15 is positioned in the bores 14 and in the aperture 11,so that the first arm 2 and the fixing element 1 are pivotably connectedto one another. The first arm 2 is provided with a formed-on lever 16which starts from the bores 14 which are arranged coaxially relative tothe first pivot axis 3. A spiral spring 17 is supported against thelever 16 on the one hand and against the fixing element 1 on the otherhand. The spiral spring 17 is guided inside the a bore 18 in thearticulated projection 10 and is supported on the base of the bore 16.The first arm 2 is thus loaded towards a first position in which thefirst arm encloses a smallest angle relative to the first fixing face 7.From this position, the first arm 2 can be transferred against thespring force of the spiral spring 17 into a second position in which thefirst arm 2 encloses a greatest angle relative to the fixing face 7.Like the entire first arm 2, the lever 16 is U-shaped and formssupporting faces 19, 20 which, in the second position of the first arm2, are supported against the first fixing plate 6. The pivot path of thefirst arm 2 is thus delimited.

The second arm 4 comprises a connecting portion 22 provided with a bore23. The bore 23 extends coaxially relative to the second pivot axis 5.The first leg 12 and the second leg 13 of the first arm 2 enclose theconnecting portion 22, with bores 24 in the two legs 12, 13 beingaligned with the bore 23 in the connecting portion 22. In the bores 24and in the bore 23, there is arranged a second articulated pin 21, sothat the first arm 2 and the second arm 4 are pivotably connected to oneanother. In the position as illustrated, the second arm 4 is in a firstposition relative to the first arm 2, in which position the first arm 2and the second arm 4 enclose the smallest angle relative to one another.At an end remote from the connecting portion 22, the second arm 4comprises a fixing portion 25 which comprises a second fixing plate 26forming a second fixing face 27. The second arm 4 can be fixed by meansof the second fixing plate 26 to a second folding element of the foldingflap or folding door, with the second fixing face 27 resting against asurface of the second folding element. For the purpose of preventing thesecond arm 4 from rotating, there are formed on securing projectionswhich start from the second fixing face 27 and which, in the mountedcondition of the hinge, project into bores of the second foldingelement. The fixing plate 26 can be screwed by screws to the secondfolding element, with the screws being guided through through-bores 29in the second fixing plate 26.

FIG. 3 shows a folding flap with a first folding element 30 and a secondfolding element 31 which are arranged vertically one above the other. Atits vertical upper end, the first folding element 30 is pivotablyconnected to a body of a piece of furniture. A hinge according to FIGS.1 and 2 is secured to a first surface 32 of the first folding element30. Corresponding components of the hinge have been given the samereference numbers and are described in FIGS. 1 and 2. The second fixingface 27 of the second fixing plate 26 rests against the first surface 32in a planar way. The fixing element 1 is fixed to a second surface 33 ofthe second folding element 31. The first fixing face 7 of the fixingelement 1 rests against a second surface 33 of the second foldingelement 31 in a planar way. In the position shown in FIG. 3, the foldingelements 31 and 32 are in a normal condition of the closed position,with the first fixing face 7 and the second fixing face 27 beingpositioned on a common plane. As a result of the design of the hinge,the second pivot axis 5 is arranged at a distance from a first abutmentedge 34 of the first folding element 30 and from a second abutment edge35 of the second folding element 31. The two abutment edges 34, 35 ofthe folding elements 30, 31 extend parallel relative to one another. Inconventional hinges, the pivot axis is positioned approximately at thelevel of the two abutment edges of the folding elements.

FIG. 4 shows the folding flap according to FIG. 3 in a closed positionwhich has an anti-catching effect. The first folding element 30 is inthe same position as shown in FIG. 3. Only the first arm 2 istransferred into its second position in which it encloses the greatestangle relative to the first fixing face 7 of the fixing element 1.

Furthermore, the first arm 2 and the second arm 4 are in an intermediateposition relative to one another in which the two arms 2, 4 enclose agreater angle relative to one another than shown in FIG. 3. The fixingface 7 of the fixing element 1 and the fixing face 27 of the secondfixing element 26 are thus arranged at an angle relative to one another,just like the first surface 32 of the first folding element 30 and thesecond surface 33 of the second folding element 31. Between the twoabutment edges 34, 35, of the folding elements 30, 31, there is thusproduced a gap which is large enough to allow the user to place hisfingers into said gap without being injured.

FIG. 5 shows the folding flap according to FIG. 3 in an open position.In this open condition, the first arm 2 is in its first position inwhich it assumes the same angular position relative to the fixingelement 1 as in the closed position according to FIG. 3. Relative to thefirst arm 2, the second arm 4 is in its second position in which the twoarms 2, 4 assume the greatest angle relative to one another. The secondfolding element 31 is thus folded around the pivot axis 5 towards thefirst folding element 30, with the first folding element 30 beingpivoted upwardly around the pivot axis around which it is connected tothe body of the piece of furniture.

FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment of the hinge. Any components whichcorrespond to any components of the hinge according to FIGS. 1 to 5,have been given reference numbers which are increased by the value 100and are described in connection with FIGS. 1 to 5. Below, FIG. 6 will bedescribed together with FIG. 7 which shows the first arm 102 in adifferent perspective.

In contrast to the hinge according to FIGS. 1 to 5, the fixing element101 and the first arm 102 are produced in one piece. The fixing element101 and the first arm 102 are integrally connected to one another viafilm hinges 36. On the one hand, the film hinges 27 serve toarticulatingly connect the first arm 102 to the fixing element 101. Onthe other hand, the film hinge 36 is designed to be resilient, so thatthe first arm 102 is loaded towards its first position.

Furthermore, the first arm 102 comprises a first rib 37 and a second rib38 which are each connected via the film hinges 36 to the fixing element101 and which are spaced in the direction towards the second pivot axis5. Furthermore, the first rib 37 and the second rib 38 are connected toone another by a web 39. The first rib 37, the second rib 38 and the web39 thus form a recess which can be entered by the first arm 104 in itsfirst position. The first arm 104 is pivotably connected to both thefirst rib 37 and to the second rib 38 of the first arm 102. There isthus achieved an embodiment which, starting from the first fixing face107, comprises a shorter height.

Furthermore, the components can be produced from plastics.

FIG. 8 shows the individual parts of a further embodiment of aninventive hinge in an exploded view. Any components which correspond tothe components of the hinge according to FIG. 1 have been givenreference numbers whose value has been increased by 200 and aredescribed in connection with FIG. 1.

A setting slide 40 is displaceably guided in the first arm 202 and issupported via a spiral spring 217 against the second arm 204. For thispurpose, the setting slide 40 is provided with a centering projection 41which is guided into the windings of a spiral spring 217. Furthermore,the setting slide 40 comprises a setting face 43 by means of which thesetting slide 40, via the spiral spring 217, is supported against asetting contour 44 of the fixing element 201. In the first position ofthe first arm 202, the setting slide 40, by means of its setting face43, engages an engagement indentation 45. When the first arm 202 ismoved out of its first position towards its second position, the settingslide 40 has to be moved against the spring force of the spiral spring217 out of the engagement indentation 45 and in the process, it is movedto part of the setting contour 44, with the distance from the firstpivot axis 203 being greater. Starting from the engagement indentation45, the setting contour 44 comprises a constant distance from the firstpivot axis 203, so that, when the first arm 202 is pivoted towards thesecond position, the setting slide 40 does not have to be moved againstthe spring force of the spiral spring 217, so that no torque is appliedto the first arm 202. In the second position of the first arm 202, thesetting slide 40 is in contact with an end stop 46 of the settingcontour.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

-   1, 101, 210 fixing element-   2, 102, 202 first arm-   3, 103, 203 first pivot axis-   4, 104, 204 second arm-   5, 105, 205 second pivot axis-   6, 106, 206 first fixing plate-   7, 107, 207 first fixing face-   8, 108 securing projection-   9, 109, 209 through-bore-   10, 210 articulated projection-   11, 211 aperture-   12, 212 first leg-   13, 213 second leg-   14, 214 bore-   15, 215 first articulated pin-   16 lever-   17, 217 spiral spring-   18 bore-   19, 219 supporting face-   20 supporting face-   21, 121, 221 second articulated pin-   22, 122, 222 connecting portion-   23, 123, 223 bore-   24, 124, 224 bore-   25, 125, 225 fixing portion-   26, 126, 226 second fixing plate-   27, 127, 227 second fixing face-   28, 128 securing projection-   29, 129, 229 through-bore-   30 first folding element-   31 second folding element-   32 first surface-   33 second surface-   34 first abutment edge-   35 second abutment edge-   36 film hinge-   37 first rib-   38 second rib-   39 web-   40 setting slide-   41 centering projection-   42 bore-   43 setting face-   44 setting contour-   45 engagement indentation-   46 end stop

1. A hinge for connecting a first folding element (30) to a secondfolding element (30) of a folding flap or folding door, comprising afixing element (1, 101, 201) which comprises a first fixing face (7,107, 207) by means of which it can be contactingly fixed to the firstfolding element (30); a first arm (2, 102, 202) which is connected tothe fixing element (1, 101, 201) so as to be pivotable around a firstpivot axis (3, 103, 203) between a first position and a second position;a second arm (4, 104, 204) which comprises fixing means (27, 127, 227)by means of which the second arm (4, 104, 204) can be fixed to thesecond folding element (31), and which is connected to the first arm (2,102, 202) so as to be pivotable around a second pivot axis (5, 105, 205)extending parallel to the first pivot axis (3, 103, 203) between a firstposition and a second position, wherein, in the first position, thefirst arm (2, 102, 202) encloses a smallest angle relative to the fixingface (7, 107, 207) and, in the second position, encloses a greatestangle relative to the fixing face, and wherein, in the first position,the first arm (2, 102, 202) and the second arm (4, 104, 204) enclose thesmallest angle and, in the second position, the greatest angle relativeto one another.
 2. A hinge according to claim 1, wherein the first arm(2) is loaded by spring means (17, 217) towards its first position.
 3. Ahinge according to claim 2, wherein starting from the first pivot axis(3), the first arm (2) is provided with a formed-on lever (16) which issupported by a spring element (17) against the fixing element (1).
 4. Ahinge according to claim 3, wherein the lever (16) serves as a stop fordelimiting the pivot path of the first arm (2) relative to the fixingelement (1).
 5. A hinge according to claim 1 wherein the first arm (102)is connected by a film hinge (36) to the fixing element (101).
 6. Ahinge according to claim 5, wherein the film hinge (36) is designed soas to be resilient.
 7. A hinge according to claim 1, wherein the fixingelement (201) comprises a setting contour (44), wherein the first arm(202) is associated with a setting slide (40) which, on the one hand, isresiliently supported against the first arm (202) and, on the otherhand, by means of a setting face (43), is slidingly supported againstthe setting contour (44), and wherein in the first position of the firstarm (202), the setting slide (40) engages a engagement indentation (45)of the setting contour (44).
 8. A hinge according to claim 7, whereinstarting from the engagement indentation (45) up to the point of contactachieved by the setting slide (44) with the setting contour (45) whenthe first arm (202) is transferred into its second position, the settingcontour (44) comprises a constant distance from the first pivot axis(203).
 9. A hinge according to claim 8, wherein in the second positionof the first arm (202), the setting slide (40) is in contact with an endstop (46) of the setting contour (44).
 10. A hinge according to claim 1,wherein the fixing means are provided in the form of a second fixingface (27, 127, 227) by means of which the second arm (4, 104, 204) canbe fixed to the second folding element (31).
 11. A hinge according toclaim 10, wherein in the first position of the first arm (2, 102, 202)and in the first position of the second arm (4, 104, 204), the firstfixing face (7, 107, 207) and the second fixing face (27, 127, 227) arearranged on a common plane.
 12. A hinge according to claim 2, whereinthe first arm (102) is connected by a film hinge (36) to the fixingelement (101).
 13. A hinge according to claim 2, wherein the fixingmeans are provided in the form of a second fixing face (27, 127, 227) bymeans of which the second arm (4, 104, 204) can be fixed to the secondfolding element (31).
 14. A hinge according to claim 3, wherein thefixing means are provided in the form of a second fixing face (27, 127,227) by means of which the second arm (4, 104, 204) can be fixed to thesecond folding element (31).
 15. A hinge according to claim 4, whereinthe fixing means are provided in the form of a second fixing face (27,127, 227) by means of which the second arm (4, 104, 204) can be fixed tothe second folding element (31).
 16. A hinge according to claim 5,wherein the fixing means are provided in the form of a second fixingface (27, 127, 227) by means of which the second arm (4, 104, 204) canbe fixed to the second folding element (31).
 17. A hinge according toclaim 6, wherein the fixing means are provided in the form of a secondfixing face (27, 127, 227) by means of which the second arm (4, 104,204) can be fixed to the second folding element (31).
 18. A hingeaccording to claim 7, wherein the fixing means are provided in the formof a second fixing face (27, 127, 227) by means of which the second arm(4, 104, 204) can be fixed to the second folding element (31).
 19. Ahinge according to claim 8, wherein the fixing means are provided in theform of a second fixing face (27, 127, 227) by means of which the secondarm (4, 104, 204) can be fixed to the second folding element (31).
 20. Ahinge according to claim 9, wherein the fixing means are provided in theform of a second fixing face (27, 127, 227) by means of which the secondarm (4, 104, 204) can be fixed to the second folding element (31).